'She was not a yes person. She would tell the truth and her feelings to Indira Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi would value her opinion. The same was the case with Rajiv Gandhi who would value her opinion.'
In a setback to the National Investigation Agency, the Kerala high court on Thursday acquitted Thadiyantevida Nazeer and the other accused, convicted by the NIA court in Kochi in 2011 in connection with the Kozhikode twin blasts case.
The quantum of punishment was pronounced by the National Investigating Agency court judge S Vijay Kumar, a day after Naseer and Shafas were found guilty. Two others were acquitted.
Suspected Lashkar operative T Nazir and his associate Shafas were produced in a Central Bureau of Investigation court in Kochi by the National Investigation Agency, probing various terror related cases in Kerala.
The crucial aspect would, however, be his links with Riyaz Bhatkal who -- according to investigating agencies -- is the founder of the Indian Mujahideen. The police are still clueless about his whereabouts.
Naseer is a prized catch since he played a crucial role in the various serial blasts that rocked the country. Moreover, he is also suspected to have guided terror suspect Tawwahur Rana (arrested for being a Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative by the FBI in Chicago) during the latter's visit to Kerala prior to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The police can now name them in their supplementary charge sheet, an official said. In a late evening statement, the government said that this is a purely procedural matter, adding that the elected government has no role to play in this.
At least 10 children are among the dead in the Riviera city following a "cowardly and barbaric" atrocity believed to have been carried out by 31-year-old Mohamed Bouhlel.
